Dawson critical of Ivey’s “Smart on Safety Initiative”

Tuesday, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey held a press conference to unveil her “Smart on Safety Initiative.”

Ivey said that she is committed to keeping Alabama’s schoolchildren safe, and this plan will aid in enhancing school safety and security in the state.

“In announcing a four-pronged approach to school safety, we will build on the foundation already in place and allow all available state resources to be focused on efforts to keep our children safe,” Ivey said. “Ensuring safety in our schools is a bipartisan issue, and we must do all we can to prevent violence and be sure we are ready to respond in the event such violence does occur.”

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Ivey said that the state will support local school officials as they meet their own safety needs. Governor Ivey supports permitting the Education Advancement and Technology Fund to be used for school security.

Ivey also said that she supports schools intervening in the lives of students who are at risk of harming themselves or others, before they act violently. Schools will be encouraged to identify at-risk students through student engagement and other factors.

Ivey also proposed creating Emergency Operations Plans (EOPs). The administration said that when a school emergency occurs, school personnel must be able to act immediately before first responders arrive. Schools must work with law enforcement and first responders to provide a coordinated response to emergencies. Each school will continuously update its EOP, and students and school personnel will receive regular training on the EOP.

At the press conference Ivey signed an executive order creating the Governor’s Securing Alabama Facilities of Education (SAFE) Council. The Council will be composed of the Secretary of the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the Secretary of the Office of Information Technology, the Alabama State Superintendent of Education and the Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Mental Health. The SAFE Council will report to the governor by April 30, 2018.

GOP Primary opponent Scott Dawson responded, “Establishing another task force is no substitute for action and when it comes to the safety of Alabama children, decisive leadership from the state’s highest office is absolutely necessary. I won’t kick the can to another task force . Task force is government code for doing nothing. With the Alabama Legislature’s last day in session being April 23rd, the council’s report deadline will be too late for action. Today’s announcement has every appearance of campaign theater, not sound public policy and leadership.”

“When Kay Ivey assumed office after the resignation of Governor Robert Bentley, she disbanded 18 task forces which she claimed had been ineffective and promised to ‘make decisions ‘ not ‘ kick the can,” Dawson continued. “As a parent with two kids who attended public school in Alabama I don’t want Alabama to be the last to implement a safe method for arming school personnel for the protection of teachers and students. We need action today. Nineteen other states have passed legislation allowing for some form of a security program for school personnel to coordinate with law enforcement and qualify to carry a firearm incognito. Our l egislature enacted a local law for Franklin County , Alabama in 2013 which allows armed teachers in schools and has operated under this law without problems.”

“I envision Alabama schools allowing teachers who volunteer, and are properly trained, qualified , and deputized to provide armed protection for our schools in coordination with local law enforcement,” Dawson continued. “Their names would be kept confidential—reported only to the superintendent and local law enforcement—and they would receive bonuses for their participation. Kay Ivey’s indecision on a significant issue like this is a clear example to the people of Alabama that she will be more of the same in Montgomery and in this instance our children’s lives are being placed in jeopardy while the Governor restores the Bentley tradition of do – nothing task forces.”

State Rep. Will Ainsworth, R-Guntersville, has already introduced legislation similar to the plan that Dawson describes.

Scandal, blue dogs and the fickle public could change the 2018 election, maybe

Campaign season is about to enter a critical phase with Republican and Democrat primaries less than 75 days away.

In this off-year election, only the governor’s race and the battle for attorney general are drawing any particular attention. Neither seat is held by an individual elected to the office by a vote of the people. Gov. Kay Ivey ascended to her position after the fall of Gov. Robert Bentley, and Attorney General Steve Marshall owes his job to the same deviant governor who was forced from office due to moral and legal failings.

As the 2018 Legislative Session hurries to a close, politicos are focusing their attention on primary election day, June 5, when many races are decided because of carefully drawn districts that favor either a Republican or Democrat candidate.

All political contests are consequential, but few have the potential to be transformative. If the status quo holds, little will change in the Heart of Dixie, but as with all things politics, the mercurial temperament of the electorate can change in interesting ways.

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Take for instance Judge Roy Moore’s recent defeat in the 2017 U.S. Senate special election where scandal coupled with weak resolve among state Republican leadership gave a motivated youth and minority voter movement an opportunity to capture a seat held by Republicans for more than a generation.

There is little reason to believe that Gov. Ivey will not win the Republican primary. Most recent polls show her with high favorables among Republican voters. But that doesn’t mean her path to victory is assured, as she faces three primary challengers and an enlivened Democratic base.

Having raised nearly three million dollars, Ivey is besting her closest competitor by over one million.

Democratic gubernatorial hopefuls former State Supreme Court Justice Sue Bell Cobb and Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox are, for now, only a distraction in terms of fundraising — but so was Doug Jones before he upset the state’s political equilibrium with his U.S. Senate win just a few months ago.

As for the attorney general’s race in the Republican primary, Marshall faces a field that includes former U.S. Attorney and recent AG chief deputy Alice Martin, former Attorney General Troy King and President Donald Trump’s Alabama finance director Chess Bedsole.

“That an attorney general is accepting donations from those who aided Hubbard is seen as troubling.”

Marshall is handily outpacing his rivals in fundraising having received $961,505.28 total with $18,021.40 in loans. Marshall contributions from in-state PACs has dropped precipitously since revelation surfaced about his actions to protect a molester on his staff.

But that hasn’t deterred out-of-state donors, many of whom seem to have no affiliation with Alabama. Marshall’s campaign is heavily funded by groups and individuals who are tied to the felony acts of former Republican Speaker of the House Mike Hubbard. That an attorney general is accepting donations from those who aided Hubbard is seen a troubling.

Among Republican voters, the most recent survey shows Marshall running behind King and slightly ahead of Martin.

Many high-profile politicos speaking on background believe if Marshall wins, he will move to fire public corruption fighter Matt Hart and his team. They also express concern that he will join forces with those who will weaken and dismantle state ethics laws.

Given Republican gerrymandering and the state’s right-leaning political bent, little is expected to change.

However, as blue dog Democrats are gaining ground across the nation, it is not inconceivable that Ivey could face a challenge from the left and given that Marshall was an Obama Democrat until 2012, it seems likely that he will be sent home by one of his three Republican challengers.

Hobson campaign announces county chairs

Monday, the Rich Hobson for Congress Campaign announced county chairs in each of the 15 counties of Alabama’s 2nd congressional district.

Hobson, 56, is an attorney and was twice the head Administrator Officer of the Alabama Judicial System. He has also worked for the Foundation for Moral Law and as Roy Moore’s Senate campaign manager.

“Our campaign’s momentum is growing, and I’m excited to have these local leaders on board,” Hobson said. “They are all fantastic community leaders, and they will do a great job of getting the word out about our conservative vision for America. I look forward to working with each of them as I continue connecting with as many residents of the Second District as possible.”

Hobson is an attorney and a longtime aide to Roy Moore. Hobson was the head of the Administrative Office of Courts both times when Moore was chief justice. Hobson also was the director of the Foundation for Moral Law. Hobson said that he made the decision to run about a year ago.

Hobson is challenging U.S. Rep. Martha Roby, R-Montgomery, who is running for her fifth two-year term in the U.S. Congress. State Rep. Barry Moore, R-Enterprise, former Congressman Bobby Bright, and retired Sergeant Major Tommy Amason is also running for the Republican nomination for the House.

Tabitha Isner and Audri Scott Williams are running in the Democratic Primary.

Republican incumbents are historically safe from primary challenges in Alabama; but Roby has angered some conservatives, who perceive her as too moderate. Wetumpka Tea Party President and founder Becky Gerritson challenged Roby two years ago.

Roby won that primary, but then antagonized some GOP voters by publicly withdrawing her support for President Donald Trump during the 2016 general election after an old interview where Trump used an inappropriate word and appeared to be saying that he liked to assault women surfaced.

Former Congressman Terry Everett endorses Barry Moore

Monday, former Congressman Terry Everett endorsed State Rep. Barry Moore, R-Enterprise, for Congress. Everett represented the 2nd Congressional District for 16 years until his retirement in 2008.

“For 16 years, you gave me the honor of representing you in Congress, championing our shared values, and holding fast to conservative principles,” Everett wrote. “I will never be able to thank you enough for your trust and confidence in me!”

“Since I left Congress, however, government has grown, our representation has wavered, and District 2 values been casted aside,” Everett wrote. “We need to make a change and I am privileged to support Representative Barry Moore for Congress. In the State House, Barry Moore has demonstrated an unparalleled commitment to conservative principles. He loves the district, is passionate about public service, loves God and his family, runs a small business, and has served in our military. His experience, faith, and work ethic are exactly what District 2 needs.”

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“Here in Alabama, Barry Moore has been rated the ‘Most Conservative Legislator’ in our state, and he will continue to stand on principle in Washington. He will stand up for the Second Amendment, for people of faith, for our farmers, and, yes, for our military,” Everett wrote. “As a veteran himself, he will work tirelessly to support those who fought for our freedom. As a private citizen, I have been selective about when I choose to speak out. But, I truly believe this race matters, and that Barry Moore is the right choice.”

“When you challenge an incumbent member of Congress, you do not expect many, if any, endorsements to come your way. But, in our case, I am excited to share that the Lord continues to bless our campaign with an outpouring of momentum and support,” Moore said. “This week, more than a dozen members of the Alabama House of Representatives stood with me to endorse my campaign. This group included Republican Majority Leader Nathaniel Ledbetter as well as Elmore/Autauga Representative Mike Holmes and Montgomery Representative Dimitri Polizos.”

“To a person, these conservative leaders are citing a need for change and testifying to my commitment to our principles. I cannot thank them enough for their endorsement,” Moore concluded. “The person we elect will have MAJOR decisions on their plate. They will have to decide whether or not to stand with the president, whether to strengthen our military, and how to reduce the size and scope of government. Our religious freedom is under attack and so are our guns. Who do you trust to handle these big issues? As the Most Conservative Legislator in Alabama, I am the one who will always be on your side.”

Everett retired in 2008 and was replaced by former Montgomery Mayor Bobby Bright, D-Montgomery. Bright was defeated in 2010 by then Montgomery City Councilwoman Martha Roby.

Roby is seeking her fifth term in the Congress.

Bright (who has switched to the Republican Party), former Alabama Courts administrator Rich Hobson and retired U.S. Army Sergeant Major Tommy Amason are also running in the Republican primary.

Tabitha Isner and Audri Scott Williams are running for the seat in the Democratic primary.